Facebook page which beats boredom earns Scott an award nomination

Chris Cordner

There are 14,000 reasons why Scott Anderson has made a difference on Wearside.

That’s how many likes he’s had for his Facebook page I’m Bored North East, which he set up as a way of promoting what’s going on in the region.

When I get messages of thank you, that is what keeps me going. It is getting to see their pictures and their faces when they are enjoying the North East. It makes a difference

Scott Anderson, founder of I’m Bored North East

And now his efforts have won both him and his page a nomination for a Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business Award in the social enterprise category.

The nomination for Scott, from Thorney Close, said: “He has put countless hours, as well as quite a lot of money, into making the page what it is.”

Praise for I’m Bored North East came via another nomination, which said: “He created a fb page that gives information about events (many free) in the locality for people to share time together and make good memories. Love it!” Scott only started I’m Bored North East in February. He is a full-time student studying mental health nursing and also works part time for the North East Autism Society.

His reasons for starting the page was to help autistic children enjoy the region, to support local businesses and their activities, and to help people diagnosed with dementia to “go make some memories”.

After hearing of his nomination, he said: “When I get messages of thank you, that is what keeps me going. It is getting to see their pictures and their faces when they are enjoying the North East. It makes a difference.”

Scott joins an ever-growing list of entries for this year’s awards and there’s still time to nominate more.

Make it Sunderland is again our headline sponsor, and will sponsor our overall Business of the Year Award, as well as a Lifetime Achievement award, which is in the sponsor’s gift.

This year sees a new category, also sponsored by Make It Sunderland, which will recognise the contribution social enterprises make to the city.